Miller Sentenced for Home Invasion, Residential Burglary, Escape

Effingham resident Christopher Miller Monday was sentenced to 15 years in prison for home invasion and 10 years in prison for residential burglary. The sentences stem from breakins to local residences that prosecutors say were orchestrated by Miller.

The chief incident was at a residence in the 1000 block of Cardinal Drive in Effingham the evening of March 11, 2013, but prosecutors also indicated Miller's involvement in burglaries to two apartments on Illini Drive and a residence on South 3rd Street.

Judge Kimberly Koester said the 24-year-old Miller indicated "no acceptance of responsibility for your actions." Acknowledging that others were involved directly with the break-ins, Judge Koester said, "You had someone else do the dirty work, and you got the fruits of those deeds."

In his arguments, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler termed Miller "a one-man crime machine". He contended that while others might have obtained stolen merchandise, Miller was the one selling the merchandise, that he was involved in incidents where guns were sold to drug dealers, and where intimidation of a witness occurred.

Defense attorney Caleb Mette indicated Miller's battle with Crohn's Disease led to his self-medicating in an attempt to control the pain, during which he became addicted to drugs and led to Miller's criminal actions.

In addition to the lengthy sentences for home invasion and residential burglary, Miller will serve a two-year prison term for escape once those other sentences are concluded. The escape charge stems from Miller's decision earlier this year to cut off his ankle bracelet while on electronic home confinement. He was recaptured in Clay County about two weeks later.